Pack for stretch socks



Dec. 11, 1962 o. w. STONE PACK FOR STRETCH socxs Filed May 4, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INV EN TOR.

ORISON W. STONE VwiLaw-i d ATTORNEY 2H w ll? Dec. 11, 1962' o. w. STONEPACK FOR STRETCH socKs 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 4, 1959 ZNVENTOR.ORISON W. STONE i p.

ATTORNEY 3,067,865 Patented Dec. 11, 1962 3,667,865 PACK FOR STRETCHSOCKS Orison W. Stone, Vailey Cottage, N.Y., assignor, by rnesneassignments, to Riegel Paper Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporationof Delaware Filed May 4, 1959, Ser. No. 810,755 3 Claims. ((11. 206-46)This invention relates to the art of packaging and more particularly tothe packaging of socks, especially those of the type which are commonlyreferred to as stretch socks.

This invention pertains, in one of its more specific aspects, to animproved insert unit comprising a novel insert element and at least onesock which tautly envelops the insert element. The invention alsopertains to an improved holder unit for readily receiving, effectivelyretaining and advantageously displaying the socks of the insert unit.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple, attractiveand inexpensive sock display pack having improved features of design andconstruction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved insert unitconsisting of a relatively stiff insert element of novel design and apair of socks which tautly envelop the insert element, such elementbeing madefrom a one-piece blank of stilt foldable sheet material whichis so configured as to avoid waste.

The invention has for another object the provision of a holder unit thatis adapted to readily receive, retain and display and then permit ofeasy removal of an insert unit of the character indicated, the holderunit being made from a one-piece blank of a foldable sheet materialwhich is so configured as to avoid waste.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sock display packagewhich is simple and attractive in design, which is sturdy and durable inconstruction, which is reasonable in material and manufacturing costsand which has its parts so constructed and arranged as to permit ofready assembly.

The foregoing objects and additional objects, together with theadvantages of the invention, will be apparent from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswhich respectively describe and illustrate a preferred form of pack fordisplaying socks according to the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank from which a holder shown in otherviews is made;

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation of a holder which is made from theblank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank which serves as a sock insert element;

FIG. 5 is a plan View of an insert unit, prior to folding, andillustrates a pair of stretch socks mounted on and enveloping the insertunit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the insert unit shown in FIG. 5 andillustrates the relative position of parts after folding;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a completed pack consisting of theholder shown in FIG. 2 and the insert unit shown in FIG. 6, the insertunit having been turned 90 about its vertical axis; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the upper portion of a modified form of blankfor use as a sock insert element.

Referring initially to PEG. 1, there is illustrated a blank B-l whichconsists of a foldable sheet material such as a suitable weight andgrade of an appropriate paperboard or a synthetic plastic composition.This blank is divided by pluralities of fold lines and cut lines todefine a back panel 10, a pair of side flaps 11, a top flap 12, a pairof top tabs 13, a bottom flap 14 and a pair of bottom tabs 15. Thevarious flaps and tabs are adapted to be folded and glued, as will bedescribed further along herein, to obtain the completed holder H whichis shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Panel 10 is provided with a centrally located elongated through opening16.

Each side fiap 11 is hinged to panel 10 along a fold line 17 and isprovided with a generally C-shaped outer edge notch 18. The lower end ofeach flap 11 is separated from panel 10 by an arcuate cut line .19.

Top flap 12 is hinged to the upper end of panel 10 along a fold line 20.

Each top tab 13 is hinged to a side of panel 10 along a fold line 21which'is a continuation of a corresponding fold line 17. Each of thesetabs is separated from its adjacent side flap 11 by a cut line 22. Thispermits in! dependent folding of individual flaps 11 and tabs 13relative to panel 10.

Bottom flap 14 is hinged to the lower end of panel 10 along a fold line23 which is parallel to fold line 20.

Each bottom tab is hinged to a side of panel 10 along a fold line 24. Itwill be observed that fold lines 24 are spaced apart a greater distancethan fold lines 17 and 21. As a result, the lower portion of panel 10 iswider than the remainder thereof.

Blank 13-1 includes a pair of spaced and preferably identical areas 25in its upper portion. Each of these areas has the general configurationof a diamond shaped parallelogram which is defined by lines of weakness,such as crease lines 26, 27, 28 and 29. Lines 26 are formed in panel 10and extend downwardly and inwardly from the points of intersection offold lines 20 and 21. Lines 27 are also formed in panel 10 and eachextends upwardly and inwardly from a fold line 21 to the lower end of acorresponding crease line 26. Lines 28 are formed in side flaps 11. Eachof these lines extends upwardly and outwardly from the lower end of aline 27 to a out line 22. Lines 29 are formed in top tabs 13 and eachextends from the upper end of a line 28 to the upper end ofcorresponding line 26.

In assembling holder H, side flaps 11 are first folded over panel 10 andsecured thereto, preferably by gluing. It will be noted from anexamination of FIGS. 2 and 3 that notched edged portions 18 of thepanels align with portions of panel 10 which define opening .16 so thatthat opening is unobstructed in the completed holder. Top flap 12 andtop tabs 13 are next folded over panel 10 to the relative position shownin FIGS. 2 and 3 and are glued together. Flap 12, tabs 13 and the upperportion of panel 10 define a top pocket P-l which is open at its lowerend. Bottom flap 14 and bottom tabs 15 are then folded over panel 10 tothe relative position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and are glued together.Flap 14, tabs 15 and the lower portion of panel iii define a bottompocket P-2 which is open at its upper end.

Reference is next had to P16. 4 which illustrates a sock insert blankB'2 which is made of a relatively stiif foldable sheet material, such asa suitable weight and grade of an appropriate paperboard. This blankconsists of three principal parts, namely a top part 30, a leg part 31and a foot part 32. The upper edge portions of top part 30 are generallysinusoidal in configuration, as indicated at 33, for reception andretention of the cuffs of a pair of socks. Leg part 31 has an elongatedcentral opening 34 and is hinged to foot part 32 along a transverse foldline 35. The foot part is also provided with a central opening 36 thatis identical with opening 34. When the foot part is folded over the legpart along fold line 35, openings 34 and 36 will be in alignment.

Blank B-Z includes a pair of curved edge portions 37 which merge withtop edge portions 33, a pair of parallel rectilinear edge portions 38, afirst pair of inwardly curved edged portions 39 and a second pair ofinwardly curved edge portions 40. As is shown in FIG. 4, correspondingedge portions 39 and 46 are symmetrical and intersect at fold line 35.The lower end of the blank is rounded, as indicated at 41, to define atoe portion at the free end of foot part 32.

Each of a pair of stretch socks S is adapted to be placed on and envelopthe insert of FIG. 4, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Both socks aremaintained taut longitudinally and transversely by the insert. Each sockhas a top or cuff portion 42 which engages insert top part 30, a legportion 43 which engages insert leg part 31, a foot portion 44 whichengages insert foot part 32, a toe portion 45 which engages insert toepart 41 and a heel portion 46 which is located at the juncture of insertparts 31 and 32.

The sock and insert arrangement shown in FIG. is adapted to be foldedalong line 35 so that the foot and toe portions of the socks and thecorresponding parts of the insert overlie the leg and cuff portions asshown in FIG. 6. These parts, when so arranged, constitute an insertunit which is adapted to be disposed and retained in holder H, asillustrated in FIG. 7. In assembling the complete pack of FIG. 7, thelower portion of the insert unit shown in FIG. 6 is introduced intoholder pocket P-2 and brought into registry with that pocket. This stepin the procedure is facilitated by the tapered configuration of thelower portion of the unit of FIG. 6. The insert unit is then bowed andpocket P1 is opened by finger pressure applied to weakened areas 25 ofthe holder. Simultaneous with the foregoing, the upper portion of theunit shown in FIG. 6 is introduced into the open end of pocket P 1 andurged upwardly into registry therewith. This completes assembly of thepack.

Opening 16 of the holder and openings 34 and 36 of the insert unit areof like size and configuration. Moreover, these openings are aligned inthe complete pack (FIG. 7) and allow a prospective purchaser to feel thetexture of the socks without dismantling the pack and removing the socksfrom the insert.

FIG. 8 illustrated the upper portion of a blank B-3 which may be used asthe sock insert in lieu of blank B-2. Blank B-3 includes a top part 50corresponding to top part 30 of blank B-2. Top part 59 is formed withcorner notches 51 for receiving and retaining free end portions of asock culf. Also, the sides edges 52 of top part 50 are rectilinearinstead of sinusoidal as in the case of edges 33 of blank B-2.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present inventionaffords a number of worthwhile benefits and advantages including thefollowing.

i (1) Blanks B-l, B-2 and B-3 from which the holder and the insertelement are made, are economical in use of material;

(2) The die-cutting and gluing operations, in forming blank B-1 andassembling holder H therefrom, are simple and inexpensive and may beperformed by the use of conventional equipment, thereby eliminating anyneed for costly special machinery;

(3) The reinforced construction embodied in the holder permits use ofrelatively lightweight boxboard;

(4) The provision of lines of weakness at the sides of holder top pocketP-l allow that pocket to be opened by mere finger pressure at the timethe insert unit is introduced into that pocket, thereby facilitatingloading of the holder.

(5) The parts are so constructed and arranged as to permit rapid loadingof the holder; and 6. By virtue of the fact that openings 16, 34 and 36are in substantial alignment in the completed pack, a prospectivepurchaser may conveniently feel the texture of the socks withoutdistrubing any part of the pack.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the objects and advantages of mypresent invention will be readily recognized by persons trained in theart without further description. It is to be clearly understood,however, that various changes may be made in the sock pack describedabove without departing from the scope of the invention, it beingintended that all mater contained in the description or shown in thedrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limitingsense.

I claim:

1. In a holder for containing and displaying socks, said holder beingmade from a blank of a foldable sheet material comprising a panel, a topflap hinged to the upper end of the panel, a bottom fiap hinged to thelower end of the panel and a pair of side flaps which are hinged toopposite sides of the panel, said side flaps overlying the front face ofthe panel and being secured thereto intermediate its sides, said top andbottom flaps overlying the front face of the panel, portions of theblank including the top flap and the upper part of the panel forming atop pocket which is open at its lower end, portions of the blankincluding the bottom flap and the lower part of the panel forming abottom pocket which is open at its upper end, said pockets being spacedfrom each other and adapted to receive corresponding portions of a pairof socks, the upper portions of the panel and the side flaps beingprovided with intersecting lines of weakness to permit flexing of theparts which form the top pocket by finger pressure and thereby effectcorresponding variations in the configuration of the open end of the toppocket, said panel and side flaps constituting a wall having a throughopening which is wholly within its peripheral confines, said openingbeing at least partly defined by the portion of the wall which isintermediate the pockets.

2. In a holder for containing and displaying socks, said holder beingmade from a blank of a foldable sheet material comprising a panel, a topflap hinged to the upper end of the panel, a pair of top tabs which arehinged to opposite sides of the upper part of the panel, a bottom flaphinged to the lower end of the panel and a pair of bottom tabs which arehinged to opposite sides of the lower part of the panel, said flaps andtabs overlying the front face of the panel, said top flap and top tabsbeing joined together and forming, with the upper part of the panel, atop pocket which is open at its lower end, the top tabs and the panelbeing provided with lines of weakness adjacent each side of the holderto permit flexing of the parts which form the top pocket by fingerpressure and thereby effect corresponding variations in theconfiguration of the open end of the top pocket, said bottom flap andbottom tabs being joined together and forming, with the lower part ofthe panel, a bottom pocket which is open at its upper end, said pocketsbeing spaced from each other and adapted to receive correspondingportions of a pair of socks.

3. In a package for containing and displaying socks, a holder unit and asock unit, said holder unit being made from a blank of a foldable sheetmaterial comprising a panel, a top flap hinged to the upper end of thepanel and a bottom flap hinged to the lower end of the panel, said flapsoverlying the front face of the panel, upper portions of the blankincluding the top flap and the upper part of the panel forming a toppocket which is open at its lower end, said upper portions defining thetop pocket provided with lines of weakness adjacent each side of theholder unit to permit flexing of the elements of the top pocket byfinger pressure and thereby effect corresponding variations in theconfiguration of the open end of the top pocket, lower portions of theblank including the bottom flap and the lower part of the panel forminga bottom pocket which is open at its upper end, said pockets beingspaced from each other, said sock unit including an insert made from ablank of a stilt foldable sheet material comprising a top part, a legpart and a foot part, said top part being of reduced Width, said legpart being disposed between the top and foot parts and being hinged tothe foot part along a transverse fold line, and at least one sockstretched longitudinally and transversely on the insert with its footportion enveloping the foot part, its leg portion enveloping the legpart and its cuff portion enveloping the top part, the insert and sockbeing folded along said fold line and constituting a folded insert unitwhich is mounted in the holder unit, one end of the folded insert unitregisterng with the top pocket and the other end registering with thebottom pocket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS HegleSept. 3, 1872 Hassenfeld Dec. 27, 1938 Powell Sept. 15, 1942 MulfordAug. 15, 1950 Power June 5, 1956 Getaz Sept. 15, 1959 Burton Nov. 3,1959 Baker Dec. 15, 1959 Phillips Jan. 17, 1961

